About .ott domain
.ott is a proposed generic top-level domain (gTLD) in ICANN's New gTLD Program. The applicant and intended registry operator is DISH DBS Corporation, with Afilias listed as the backend registry services provider. The application was submitted in 2012, and its status remains proposed, meaning it has not yet been delegated into the root zone. The application describes it as a restricted, exclusively-controlled gTLD intended for use by the applicant and its affiliates.
Who can register .ott domain
Registration for the .ott domain would be highly restricted. According to the application, it is intended as an exclusively-controlled gTLD for use by DISH DBS Corporation and its affiliated entities, such as DISH Network L.L.C. and Blockbuster L.L.C. It is not an open TLD for public registration. Eligibility would likely be limited to the corporate applicant, its subsidiaries, and potentially approved partners under strict contractual terms set by the registry.
How to register .ott domain
As a proposed, restricted, and exclusively-controlled gTLD, .ott is not available for purchase through standard commercial registrars. Domains would be allocated internally by DISH DBS Corporation to its own services, brands, and affiliated companies. The process would involve an internal corporate decision on domain name assignment, followed by technical provisioning through the designated backend registry provider. There is no public registration or checkout process.
Typical uses of .ott domain
If delegated, the .ott extension would be used primarily by DISH DBS Corporation and its affiliated companies for their television, streaming, and entertainment services. The acronym "OTT" commonly stands for "over-the-top" in the technology and media industry, referring to the delivery of film and TV content via the internet. This TLD would likely brand services related to DISH Network's satellite TV, Blockbuster's streaming, and other digital content delivery platforms, creating a unified online namespace for its over-the-top media offerings.
Tips for registering .ott domain
- As a proposed TLD, it is not currently possible to register a .ott domain, and no registration policies or terms have been finalized.
- If launched, registration would be restricted to the applicant and its affiliates, with no public availability.
- Standard commercial features like WHOIS privacy or public transfers between registrars would not apply to this closed namespace.
- Any future launch would likely involve an internal allocation process rather than a public sunrise or landrush period.
Frequently asked questions about .ott domain
Who operates .ott domain?
The registry for .ott domains is DISH, administered by Dish DBS Corporation.
Who can register a .ott domain?
Registration eligibility is strictly limited to DISH DBS Corporation, its subsidiaries like DISH Network L.L.C. and Blockbuster L.L.C., and potentially its approved affiliates. The applicant's materials define .ott as a restricted, exclusively-controlled gTLD, meaning it is not open for public or general commercial registration. Any entity outside this corporate family would not be eligible to register a domain under this extension.
Can I transfer a .ott domain between registrars?
As a proposed, restricted TLD intended for exclusive internal use, standard inter-registrar transfer policies would not apply. Domain management would be handled internally by the registry operator, DISH DBS Corporation. Any reassignment of domains within its namespace would be an administrative action controlled by the corporation, not a transfer between independent registrars as with open gTLDs.
What does "OTT" stand for in the context of this TLD?
In the media and technology sector, "OTT" is an acronym for "over-the-top," which describes the delivery of audio, video, and other media content directly to viewers via the internet, bypassing traditional cable or broadcast platforms. The applicant, DISH DBS Corporation, operates in this space through its DISH Network and Blockbuster streaming services. The proposed .ott TLD is intended to brand and consolidate its online and streaming offerings under this industry-recognized term.
Could this TLD ever become available to the public?
Based on the application details, it is highly unlikely. The applicant explicitly describes .ott as a "restricted, exclusively-controlled gTLD" for its own use. The application does not propose a model for public registration or open eligibility. For the TLD to become publicly available, the registry operator would need to fundamentally change its charter and submit a substantial change request to ICANN, which is a complex and uncertain process.
How would trademark holders be affected if .ott launches?
Since the namespace is planned for exclusive use by the applicant corporation, standard trademark protection mechanisms like the Sunrise Period or Trademark Claims Service would not be applicable. The registry operator would control all second-level domains, minimizing the risk of cybersquatting within the .ott space. Trademark disputes would likely be handled through direct legal channels with the corporation rather than through UDRP proceedings specific to the TLD.